Schlumbergera plant named ‘THOR-PANDORA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Schlumbergera  plant named ‘THOR-PANDORA’ particularly characterized by large upright to vertical flowers; freely flowering purple-violet colored flowers; large quantity of flowers per plant; and slow growth rate and freely branching growth habit.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Schlumbergeratruncata.

Variety denomination: ‘THOR-PANDORA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofSchlumbergera plant, botanically known as Schlumbergera truncata, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘THOR-PANDORA’.

Schlumbergera (formerly Zygocacatus) of the Cactaceae family, consistsof 6 known species which are epiphytic cacti and native to Brazil.Common names for Schlumbergera plants include: Crab Cactus for thecultivar's claw-like phyllocade margin, Thanksgiving Cactus forcultivars which bloom in November, and Christmas Cactus for cultivarswhich bloom in December.

The new Schlumbergera cultivar is a product of a controlled breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, Jørgen Kurt ANDERSEN, in Fyn,Denmark. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a newSchlumbergera cultivar with upright plant habit, freely branching habitand large flowers with a unique color combination.

The new Schlumbergera cultivar originated from an outcrossing made bythe inventor, Jørgen Kurt ANDERSEN, in 2001 in Fyn, Denmark. The femaleor seed parent is an unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera truncatacultivar. The male or pollen parent is an unnamed, unpatentedSchlumbergera truncata cultivar. The new Schlumbergera cultivar wasdiscovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated outcrossing in a controlled environmentin 2002 in Fyn, Denmark, on the basis of its flower color and freelybranching habit.

Asexual reproduction of the new Schlumbergera cultivar by phyllocladecuttings taken and propagated, and followed by trial production batches,was first performed in 27^(th) November 2001 in Fyn, Denmark, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true totype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘THOR-PANDORA’ which in combinationdistinguish this Schlumbergera as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Large upright to vertical flowers;    -   2 Freely flowering white and purple-violet colored flowers;    -   3. Large quantity of flowers per plant; and    -   4. Slow growth rate and freely branching growth habit.

Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ differ fromplants of the parental cultivars in the following characteristics:

Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ arecharacterized by their many shoots/phylloclades.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’is the Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-RITT’ (unpatented) in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ are        taller and wider (height about 18 cm; spread about 20 cm) than        the plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-RITT’ (height about 17 cm;        spread about 19 cm).    -   2. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ have        more lateral branches (about 14 when 3 phylloclade cuttings        planted per plant) than plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-RITT’        (about 7 when 3 phylloclade cuttings planted per plant).    -   3. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ have        thicker phylloclades (about 6 mm) than ‘THOR-RITT’ (about 4 mm;        green).    -   4. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ have        larger and more flowers (diameter about 5.5 cm and height about        7.5 cm; about 40 to 45 flowers) than the plants of the cultivar        ‘THOR-RITT’ (diameter about 5.0 cm and height about 5.5 cm;        about 30 to 40 flowers).    -   5. Plants of the new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ have        larger purple-violet petals (28 mm in length and 17 mm in width)        whereas plants of the cultivar ‘THOR-RITT’ has smaller purple        petals (25 mm in length and 15 mm in width).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ showing the colors as true asis reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colorsin the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited inthe detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the colorof ‘THOR-PANDORA’.

FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of‘THOR-PANDORA’ grown in a 10.5 cm pots, at 30 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of mature flowers of ‘THOR-PANDORA’.

FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of‘THOR-RITT’ grown in a 10.5 cm pot, at about 11 months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Schlumbergera cultivar ‘THOR-PANDORA’ has not been observedunder all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the newcultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype ofthe plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘THOR-PANDORA’as grown in a glass-covered greenhouse in Fyn, Denmark, under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.Plants of ‘THOR-PANDORA’ are themo-photoperiodic and will develop budsand bloom best under short day conditions (less than 12 hours ofsunlight for a period of 6 weeks) and cool night temperatures between13° C. and 18° C. No growth retardants were used when growing plants of‘THOR-PANDORA’.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 4^(th) edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. The photographs and descriptions were takenduring the Fall of 2005 in Fyn, Denmark, when outdoor day temperaturesaveraged 20° C. and outdoor night temperatures averaged 18° C. The ageof the plants described is 20 weeks.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Schlumbergera truncata.        -   Common name.—Thanksgiving Cactus.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera            truncata.        -   Male or pollen parent.—Unnamed, unpatented Schlumbergera            truncata.-   Propagation: By phylloclade cuttings.    -   -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—In a greenhouse,            about 30 days at 18° C. to 21° C.        -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted cutting.—In a            greenhouse, about 20 days at.        -   Rooting habit and description.—Fine, well-branched and RHS            155B, white in color.-   Plant:    -   -   Type.—Perennial, Epiphyte.        -   Growth habit.—Initially erect and upright, becoming pendent            as lateral branches lengthen.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching, with three or more new            phylloclades forming at the apex of older phylloclades.        -   Vigor.—Slow growth rate.        -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 10 months are required to            produce a finished flowering plant in an 11 cm pot.        -   Size at maturity.—Height (soil level to top of plant,            including flowers): About 18 cm. Spread: About 20 cm.-   Stem: None, older phylloclades may turn woody with age (several    years).-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Arrangement.—Phylloclades form at the apex of older            phylloclades to form branches.        -   Quantity.—About 14, when 3 phylloclade cuttings planted per            pot.        -   Length.—Primary: About 4 cm (1 phylloclade). Secondary:            About 8.5 cm (2 to 3 phylloclades).        -   Width.—About 3.5 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright to arching (from basal phylloclade).        -   Strength.—Strong (from basal phylloclade).        -   Appearance.—Shiny.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Color.—Green, RHS N138A.-   Phylloclade:    -   -   Arrangement.—Single and sequential.        -   Quantity per lateral branch.—About 3.        -   Length.—About 4.0 cm.        -   Width.—About 3.5 cm.        -   Thickness.—About 6 mm (center of phylloclade).        -   Overall shape.—Oval, truncated.        -   Apex shape.—Truncate with 2 protruding marginal teeth (about            8 to 9 mm in length), forming a claw-like shape.        -   Base shape.—Rounded.        -   Margin.—Serrated; about 4 teeth (5-7 mm in length).        -   Texture.—Glabrous, smooth.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Color of upper surface.—Immature: Yellow-green, RHS 146A.            Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 147A. Margin: Yellow-green, RHS            146A.        -   Color of lower surface.—Immature: Yellow-green, RHS 146B.            Mature: Yellow-green, RHS 147B. Margin: Yellow-green, RHS            146B.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Costate, prominent central vein. Color:            Upper surface: Yellow-green, RHS 146A. Lower surface:            Yellow-green, RHS 147B.-   Areole: Not true areole structure; tip of phylloclade is barbellate,    4-6 short hairs or bristles.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Arrangement and appearance.—Single, double or triple sessile            flowers borne on apical end of phylloclades. Flowers are            hose-in-hose and zygomorphic. When flowers are fully open,            they form a right angle to the phylloclade. Flowers            persistent; petals fold and wither slowly.        -   Natural flowering season.—Flowering occurs between October            and December (northern hemisphere), but can be changed            depending on short day photo-treatments.        -   Flowering response time.—About 8 to 9 weeks from planting.        -   Rate of flower opening.—About 1 to 2 per week, depending on            temperature and light.        -   Flowering longevity (dependent on temperature and light            conditions).—About 5 to 6 days.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Quantity of flowers per lateral branch.—About 1 to 3.        -   Quantity of buds per lateral branch.—About 2.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—About 40 to 45.        -   Flower bud.—Length: Ranging from 0 to 35 mm (before            anthesis). Width: Ranging from 0 to 8 mm (before anthesis).            Shape: Round to lanceolate. Color: Purple-violet, RHS N80B.        -   Flower.—Type: Single. Shape: Tubular, hose-in-hose triple            perianth. Aspect: Initially facing upward, later facing            outward (right angle to phylloclade). Persistent or            self-cleaning: Persistent, but drops after withering.        -   Corolla size.—Height: About 7.5 cm (including ovary).            Diameter: About 5 to 6 cm. Tube length: About 5 cm. Tube            diameter: About 9 mm.        -   Petals.—Quantity: Apical Whorl: About 8; Basal whorl: About            5 to 7. Length: About 2.8 cm. Width: About 1.7 cm. Shape:            Oblong. Apex: Acute. Base: Apical Whorl: Fused; Basal Whorl:            Free. Margin: Entire. Appearance: Shiny. Texture: Silky,            smooth, glabrous (both surfaces). Color of Upper Surface            (when opening): Petals: Purple-violet, RHS N80C; Petal            Margin: Purple-violet, RHS N80B; Tube: Purple-violet, RHS            N80D. Color of Lower Surface (when opening): Petals:            Purple-violet, RHS N80C; Petal Margin: Purple-violet, RHS            N80B; Tube: Purple-violet, RHS N80D. Color of Upper Surface            (when fully opened): Petals: Purple-violet, RHS N80D; Petal            Margin: Purple-violet, RHS N80C; Tube: Purple-violet, RHS            N80D. Color of Lower Surface (when fully opened): Petals:            Purple-violet, RHS N80D; Petal Margin: Purple-violet, RHS            N80C; Tube: Purple-violet, RHS N80D.        -   Petaloids.—Quantity: About 7 to 9. Length: About 2.5 cm.            Width: About 1.2 cm. Shape: Oblong. Apex: Acute. Base:            Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Silky.            Color: Immature: Purple-violet, RHS N80B; Mature:            Purple-violet, RHS N80B.        -   Sepals.—Quantity: About 5. Length: About 1.0 cm. Width:            About 1.0 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse to rounded. Base:            Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture (both surfaces): Glabrous.            Color (Immature): Upper surface: Purple-violet, RHS N80C;            margin: RHS N80B; Lower surface: Purple-violet, RHS N80C;            margin: RHS N80B. Color (Mature): Upper surface:            Purple-violet, RHS N80D; margin: RHS N80D; Lower surface:            Purple-violet, RHS N80D; margin: RHS N80C.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Quantity: Many (about 30 to 40),            polyandrous, phaneranherous (Obviously protruding),            incurved. Some filaments fused to perianth tube (connate).            Length: About 45 mm. Color: White, RHS 155D. Anther: Shape:            Basifixed, ovoid. Length: About 1 mm. Color: Light yellow,            RHS 11D. Filament: Length: About 40 to 45 mm. Color: White,            RHS 155D, translucent. Pollen: Amount: Abundant. Color:            Light yellow, RHS 11D.        -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Quantity: 1. Shape: Slightly curved.            Length: About 50 mm. Stigma: Shape: Initially ovoid, opening            to claw-like shape. Color: Red-purple, RHS N74A. Style:            Length: About 55 mm. Color: Red-purple, RHS N74A. Ovary:            Shape: Angular. Length: About 4 to 5 mm. Width: About 3 mm.            Color: Yellow-green, RHS 144A.-   Seeds/fruit: None observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: No test for disease/pest resistance have    been performed yet.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: No test for disease/pest resistance    have been performed yet.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.    and to a high temperature about 40° C.

1. A new and distinct Schlumbergera plant named ‘THOR-PANDORA’, asillustrated and described herein.